Assessment of Broiler Breeder Cocks Under Selection for Semen Quality as Influenced by Age and Body weight Changes

The study was conducted to assess the semen quality characteristics of broiler breeder cocks under selection at young (22 - 29weeks) and adult (30 - 40weeks) ages in a pedigreed population. Data were collected on a weekly interval for body weight and semen quality characteristics (sperm volume, semen colour, sperm motility, semen pH, sperm concentration and live cell) and semen morphological defects (detached head, coiled tail, bent tail and full head) and were analyzed using the SAS statistical package. Sequel to semen collection, body weights of each cock were taken and recorded. Results obtained for body weight at the two age groups showed a significant (p <0.05) difference with the adult cocks been heavier as the age advanced. The semen quality showed a highly significantly (p<0.01) difference at all ages with the exception of live cells for the adult breeder cocks’ group where the trait showed no significant (p>0.05) difference across weeks. The semen morphological defect of young breeder cocks showed a progressive significant (p<0.01) increase with the highest defect of 21.20% at 27 weeks, while for the adult cocks, the highest defect was recorded at 30 weeks with 23% defect. It can therefore be recommended that for optimum reproductive performance of the broiler breeder cocks under selection, cocks should be introduced into hen pens or used for artificial insemination at about 26weeks of age under favourable conditions that promote optimum quality semen, which can enhance fertility and hatchability for pedigree hatchin

Effect of Genotype and Age on Some Morphometric, Body Linear Measurements and Semen Traits in Nigerian Indigenous Chickens

A population of 231 roosters of the Nigerian indigenous chickens of normal feathered frizzle feathered and naked neck genotypes was evaluated for the effect of genotype and age on some morphometric body linear measurements and semen characteristics of three Nigerian chicken genotypes. 20 roosters from each genotype were evaluated for semen characteristics at 24, 28 and 32 weeks of age in relation to body weights and linear body measurements at those ages. Data were obtained and analyzed for body weights, body linear measurements and for the semen characteristics. The analyzed data showed that all the body parameters were significantly (P<0.05) affected both by age and genotypes except wattle width (WW) comb length (CL) and comb height (CH) at 24 weeks of age. Semen characteristics revealed that both age and genotype had significant (P<0.05) effects though semen colour and pH were not significantly (P>0.05) affected at 24 and 28 weeks respectively with superiority in most of the trait in the normal feathered genotype. Correlation estimates showed most traits not significantly (P>0.05) correlated. It is concluded that some level of genetic variations exist in body weight, linear measurements and semen traits in roosters of three genotypes used in this study and they can be used for breeding and artificial insemination purposes for genetic improvement.Key words: Age, genotypes, indigenous chicken

Performance, Carcass Characteristics and Haematology of Grower Japanese Quails as Affected by Processing Methods of African Breadfruit (Treculia africana) Seed

A total of two hundred seventy growing Japanese male quail birds were fed with parboiled (PB) and varying boiling time of African Breadfruit, ABF (Treculia africana) seed to evaluate the performance, carcass characteristics and haematological parameters of the growing male quail fed the African Breadfruit seed. Six dietary treatments with a control treatment (T1) without ABF, parboiled  ABFat100oC(T2) and four varying cooking intervals of 10, 20, 30 and 40 minutes  starting from time of boiling representing T3, T4, T5 and T6 respectively were  investigated. The birds were fed the experimental diet from 2-6weeks. Data were collected and analyzed for carcass characteristics and haematology parameters with 9 birds representing a treatment in a complete randomized design. Results shows that performance parameters of final body weight, weight gain, feed conversion ratio and cost/kg weight gain had significant (P<0.05) differences however, initial bodyweight, total feed intake and daily feed intake had no significant (P>0.05) difference. The carcass and visceral organs all had significant (P<0.05) differences with PB treatment having better carcass characteristics. Most of haematological parameters measured were significantly (P<0.05) different although PCV, RBC, heterophil and MCV had no (P>0.05) difference. It can be concluded that cooking African Breadfruit at parboiling time is adequate for quails performance no adverse health implications.Key words:African Breadfruit, Performance, Carcass, Quail

Energy partitioning of pregnant and lactating rabbit fed combination of concentrate and stylosanthes hamata hay

The study was carried out to examine energy partitioning of pregnant and lactating rabbit offered levels of concentrate and Stylosanthes hamata hay to ascertain whether it meets their high reproductive and nutritional requirement. Forty-eight nulliparous crossbred does (New Zealand White x California and California x Chinchilla breeds) of eight months old were allocated to four dietary treatments in a completely randomised design. During gestation, 150 g/doe/day concentrate and Stylosanthes hamata hay combinations (30:120g, 60:90g, 90:60g and 120:30g) was offered while 350 g/doe/day concentrate and Stylosanthes hamata hay combinations (70:280g, 140:210g, 210:140g and 280:70g) was offered during lactation. Estimations of digestible energy during pregnancy and lactation were carried out and reference data were used to calculate for DEreq, DEm, DEfg, DEmacc, BalanceDE and DEreq/LW0.75.  Results obtained showed non-significant (P>0.05) difference among 90:60 and 120:30% concentrate and Stylosanthes hamata hay combinations in terms of DMintake, DEintake, DEreq, DEfg, DEmacc, BalanceDE and DEreq/LW0.75, but were significantly (P<0.05) higher than 30:120 and 60:90% concentrate and Stylosanthes hamata hay combinations. Rabbit in the 4th week of pregnancy had significantly (P<0.05) higher DEintake, DEreq, DEfg, DEmacc, BalanceDE and  DEreq/LW0.75 than does in the 2nd week of pregnancy. During lactation, all parameters showed non-significant (P>0.05) difference. Therefore, the diet combinations were sufficient to provide adequate digestible energy for the physiological needs of does during pregnancy and lactation. Keywords: Rabbit does, Energy Partitioning, Pregnancy, Concentrate, Stylosanthes hamata ha

Effect of egg size and lines on hatching performance of chicks from broiler breeders under selection

The study was conducted with the objective of evaluating the effect of egg size (small, medium and large) and lines on egg and hatch weight, fertility, hatchability, embryonic mortality and infertile eggs of broiler breeders under selection. A total of 120 broiler chicks were hatched from three different egg sizes (40 chicks per egg size as indicated) from breeder parents at 40 weeks of age. The broiler breeders were mated in a ratio of 1:6. Data obtained were subjected to analysis of variance in a complete randomized design. The result showed that significant (p<0.05) egg weight loss in incubator were recorded with the large egg size group having the minimum loss of 10.85%. The hatch weight was significant (p<0.05) and increased from the small to the large (36.24, 36.73 and 40.22g) egg size group. Line had significant effect (p<0.05) only on the medium egg size: egg weight (sire = 57.50g; dam = 55.00g) and hatch weights (sire = 39.71g; dam = 36.10g). The fertility (94.02, 93.01 and 78.01%), hatchability (87.42, 88.20 and 62.41%) and embryonic mortality (6.58, 9.80 and 15.6%) had significant (p<0.05) differences with the small egg size group performing better excluding the average egg weight, which was then followed closely by medium egg size group. It can be concluded that for higher hatch weight target, the large egg size should be selected but for the purpose of better fertility and hatchability, the medium and small egg sizes should be selected